Problems associated with older motors with low hours.
Submitted by Vinesh87 on Wed, 2012-06-27 17:29
After seeing a few comments on older motors with lower hours its got me wondering good or bad? What are some of the problems you can get ? E.g I have heard with low hours you can end up with salt scaling on the manifold that could over time cause a total block if not run / rinsed enough?
I just bought my 2008 boat (4.3MPI) with 60hrs on the clock that's only 15 hours a year,and it never occurred to me that it hasn't been used enough. I had a Full service done on the before i took it out. e.g new impeller, fuel filters, oil filters, alignment , fuel system, gear lube etc etc. I have done 20 hrs with it since then and its been outstanding.
Interested in your thoughts!!
carnarvonite
Posts: 8669
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Drive it!!
Nothing wrong with it, just get in and drive it hard for the first half hour or so, up to 3/4 throttle then ease it down, anything that will make it work hard, even tow your mates boat around for an hour to re bed the rings in.
Paul H
Posts: 2104
Date Joined: 18/01/07
My boat/motor doesn't get
My boat/motor doesn't get used nearly as much as I'd like. As far as any problems this may cause the only ones I am aware of is mainly with the impeller. as with little use it can get brittle quicker than a motor run regularly - if it's replaced now and then this is negated. Would suggest if its going to be stored for a while pull the fuel lead off and run for 30 seconds or so but not till it runs dry. Also a good flush before storing and letting the water drain well would be obvious. My motor is a 1993 Johnson and I haven't had any trouble other than a stuck float in the carby last easter which was easily fixed (now have an additional filter on the fuel line as I found a small bit of grit).
Cheers
Sorry just realised its an innie not an outie
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squidvicious1
Posts: 824
Date Joined: 22/07/10
Vin You have a good cause to
Vin You have a good cause to ask,old with little hours,either looked after or left to rot with no TLC
You have down the right thing by getting a full service especially since it is a inboard,manifolds with heat exchange do over time corrode out and need replacement .no brainer with inboards if you haven't owned one before.
Religious maintenance will keep it going for many years running,enjoy.
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Cheers for the info, and i
Cheers for the info, and i have driven it hard a few times now pounding into the easterlies !! And it has been cared for a serviced before i bought it, never been in salt until me ( Verified by local mechanic here ) not just USA Surveyor. No heating issues yet after a few sessions 2hrs of 3000rpm and WOT speeds.The merc has a manual water drain which i do and it will not go more than a few weeks very often without use i hope !!
Paul i agree i have a 70hp tohatsu 1983 aswell that has seen 6 month periods of no use and no issues yet by doing what you say (1500+hrs)
What do people think about flushing times how long is enough? is a salt remover going to help ?
snappermiles
Posts: 2100
Date Joined: 05/11/10
vinesh i have been told not to use that plug
just flush the motor with fresh water! that drain plug is meant to be used in the usa where its cold and the water freezes and expands! if you drain the plug it lets the oxegen in and can corrode quicker! i was told this by a merc dealer
ALL FISHERMEN ARE LIARS EXCEPT YOU AND ME! AND IM NOT SO SURE ABOUT YOU!
carnarvonite
Posts: 8669
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Heat exchanger
If its running a heat exchanger and not sea water through the engine it would only need a couple of minutes to flush it after all its just the pump and out through the exhaust manifolds
Rod P
Posts: 725
Date Joined: 20/05/08
Biggest issue from the states
Biggest issue from the states can be ethanol in the fuel. Ethanol in its pure form will corrode like nothing. Ethanol once separated from fuel (about 4 weeks old) will never re mix. I'd be cleaning out your fuel system very thoroughly. Empty tank and all. But then again depending on how long you've had it and used it here in Aus.
A few petrol retailers have been found to have as high as 40% ethanol in there fuel, mostly down Florida way. Some fairly big court cases are ongoing.
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Cheers for info!! Snapperm,
Cheers for info!!
Snapperm, thanks for that i never even thought about that !
Rod i drained the fuel and had the system flushed the moment i got the boat and have done about 20 hrs since then and running brilliantly. So i have 100l of old fuel if anyone wants it haha !
I normally run it for sbout 5 mins carv,cheers.
travy37
Posts: 11
Date Joined: 20/01/12
Last boat i owned repowered
Last boat i owned repowered with a 04 115 johno 2 st that was brand new been sitting on the showroom floor in bunbury for 6 years.Picked it up for about 7500 fitted with full factory warranties so think i got a good deal. The motor was serviceable but always took a long time to start. The boat wasnt used a whole lot but after about 30 hours wouldnt start at all, ended up getting the fuel pump changed under warranty, even after still took a long time to start, It may have been a fuel supply problem as hull and tank and under floor fuel hoses were old. Anyway sold it not long after and have recently seen the same boat for sale on gumtree with only 80 hours.